What is real? What can we know? What is Being? These fundamental questions have long been central to philosophical inquiry. In this course, we will delve into these and other pivotal concepts in the history of philosophy, with a particular focus on the philosophy of science. Our exploration will include a historical analysis of epistemology in science, accompanied by sociological, postcolonial, and gender perspectives.

Evidently, quantity and quality of scientific knowledge has changed dramatically e. g. between Newton’s classical mechanics in the 17th century and the development of quantum mechanics or Einstein’s theory of general relativity in the 20th century. What was once established as a scientific fact has been revealed as a limited perspective. In this course, we will discuss the methods scientists use to gain knowledge that is as solid as possible and yet under constant scrutiny and open for revisions.

This course is open for participants of all departments.

• Regular attendance and active participation. (30 %)
• Seminar presentations. (30 %)
• Seminar paper due at the end of the semester. (40 %)